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P0420 on CHEVROLET EQUINOX

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
8
Most Affected
2011, 2010, 2012

What P0420 Means on Your CHEVROLET EQUINOX

Real CHEVROLET EQUINOX Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"I put in a new cadillac converter and every time i turn around i have to change the o2 sensors bank1 02 sensor keeps giving me p034 & p054 in a permanent p0420 it gets very expensive changing the same repairs over and over again ."

— 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX owner • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE • Filed 02/24/2018

"I just recently bought a 2011 chevy equinox lt awd, and soon after i began driving it, the check engine light came on with code p0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold."

— 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX owner • ENGINE • Filed 12/06/2019

"Rattle and noise in the front passenger side of vehicle as soon as vehicle is turned on and while in motion, making weird noises and movements while driving, occasional hard shift, back rear drivers tire losing pressure for no reason, pulling code for p0420, did a google search and seen multiple com"

— 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX owner • WHEELS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • Filed 11/26/2019

"Driving down the highway going about 70 miles per hour over a bridge. my vehicle started loosing power. about 2 miles after the bridge the engine light came on and the engine shut off. never came back on."

— 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX owner • ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • Filed 11/23/2018

"For the second time since i have owned the car new major engine work was undertaken. 1st was a timing chain wear issue causing engine noise at about 50k miles. next was a near total engine rebuild due to excess oil consumption where rings, bearings, pistons etc at gm warranty cost."

— 2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX owner • ENGINE • Filed 12/15/2015

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P0420 on CHEVROLET EQUINOX

37.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%
12.5%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2010
1
2011
5
2012
1
2014
1

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P0420 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026